BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has become active on social media as the Leader of the Opposition in Odisha and has been targeting the state government on various issues. However, his recent post about the Paik Uprising being excluded from the NCERT textbook has sparked controversy and drawn criticism.
Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the alleged omission of the Paik Uprising from the NCERT textbook, calling it a "huge dishonour" to the heroes of Odisha. He urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure justice is done to the Paik Uprising and Odisha.
However, the NCERT clarified that the Paik Uprising will be included in the second volume of the textbook, which is expected to be released in September-October 2025. The first volume, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond," covers the initial struggles against British rule, while the second volume will focus on regional resistance movements and armed uprisings.
State Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling responded to Naveen Patnaik's post, saying that misleading people through false tweets to fulfill political hopes is ridiculous. Another netizen, Sujit Das, also criticized Naveen Patnaik, suggesting that he should refrain from making misleading statements, especially when it comes to important historical events.
The Paik Uprising, which took place in 1817, was a significant event in Odisha's history, showcasing extraordinary bravery against British colonial rule. Naveen Patnaik's concerns about the omission of this event from the textbook have sparked a debate about the importance of preserving historical events and figures.